Dispensing device



March 3l,` 1959 "D" FLAvlUs BAcHl-:LLER 2,879,924

DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Fe'b. 12.` 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 f., vf

"oFLAv/us sAcHELLE/e,

INVENTOR.

HUEBNER, BEEHLER,

WORREI. HERZ/6,

A TTORNEKS' Marchy 31, 1959 "D" FLAvlUs BACHELLER DISPENSING DEVICE 2Sheets-Sheet 2 lll n 1 Filed Feb. l2, 1954 "0 FLAv/US aAcHELLE/e,

JNVENTOR.

HuEaNEmaEe-HLER,

wom/5L a HERZ/c j A T TURA/EVS' United States Patent DISPENSING DEVICE DFlavius Bacheller, Glendale, Calif., assignor of onehalf to DanCampbeil, Glendale, Calif.

Application February 12, 1954, Serial No. 409,947

8 Claims. (Cl. 222-207) This invention relates to improvements incontainer closures serving as dispensing pumps for intermittent-lyejecting small amounts of liquid from containers.

The invention has particularv utility when employed as a dispensingclosure for a bottle or othercontainer holding liquid medicators,cosmetics, or toilet preparationsA such, for example, as hand lotion andsimilar liquids, although the invention is not limited in use todispensing liquids of this type, but is suited to the dispensing ofliquids generally and of widely varying viscosity.

A variety of dispensing pumps have heretofore been employed for similaror related purposes, but these pumps for the most part often cause theliquid to be ejectedin short spurts or jets characterized by a squirtingor sputtering action of the liquidi. An important object of the`invention is to provide. a dispensing device which is adapted todispense liquid in smooth, small and controlled amounts free from anysputtering action.

Another` object of the invention is to provide an mproved device of theabove-mentioned character which will serve as a suitable closure for abottle not only when it is desired to dispense liquidL from the bottlebut also during shipment of the bot-tlc.

A further object is to provide a device of the above mentioned characterwhich is practical and reliable, and which is so constructed that it maybe produced inexpensively and automatically with the view tosupplyingthe public with an efcient dispensing closure at small cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, andin which like numerals are. employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same,

Figure 1 is a central` vertical sectional view of the uppper portion ofa bottle having a dispenser embodying the invention attached to the topthereof.

Figure 2 is a similar sectional view but showing the movablevparts ofthe dispenser in their relative positionsat a. time` when the dispenseris operated to eject. a small amount of liquid from'the bottle;

Figures 3. and 4 are transverse views through the dispenser takenrespectively on lines 3 3 and 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is` a detail section taken on line. 5 5: of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is= a developed section taken on circular lineV 66 ofi Figure3.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one form of a stem piece for thedispenser showing the construction of the top surface of such piece.

Figure 8 is an exploded view` of one form of mating stem pieces shown inseparated relationship.

Figure 9 is a fragmentarycentral vertical sectioni of thev upper portionofV a` bottle having a dispenser embodying the invention attached to thetop thereof, and whereinA the dispenser has a stem construction of amodified form. Figure 10 is-a transversev view through the modied dis,-penser taken on line 10-10 of Figure 9.

ICC

Figure 11 is an exploded view of the modified mating stem pieces shownin separated relationship.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown twopreferred embodiments of my invention, the numeral 15 designates aconventional container, here,- in a bottle, having a neck 16 providedwith a threaded exterior 17. A dispensing unit 18 is shown attached tothe bottle and it includes atop member 19 having a topi wall 20 and askirt portion 21 threaded on its interior wall to engage the threads 17on the neck of the bottle.` In the embodiment shown in the drawings thecap member is circular in cross-section and is knurled around itsexterior, as indicated at 22, to aid in gripping thecap.

Extending axially into the neck of the bottle isa sleeve member 23 whichis formed preferably of a resilientY material such, for example, as anyof a number of commercially available plastics of the soft orelastomeric type (eig. polyethylene). Adjacent its upper end, member 23xis provided with a horizontally extending annular flange 24,.the uppersurface of which engages the flat inside face of the top wall 20 of thecap member, while its under surface is seated on the rim of the bottle15, whereby the flange 24 serves as a washer insuring a tight jointbetween the cap member and the bottle.

The dispenser unit 18 includes an upper unit 26 mountedupon the capmember 19 and which, for purposes to belater described, is preferablymade capable of being turned about its vertical axis on the cap member.Such upper unit is separable from the cap member and has a` tubular stempiece 23 extending downwardly and axially' from it for supporting theunit 26 in a manner permitting it to be turned on its vertical axis ontop of the cap mem-- ber. There is a centrally arranged circular opening291 through the top wall 20 of the cap member for accom-V modating thestem 28 which in turn fits snugly in an. axial bore 30 through theelastomeric sleeve member 23, whereby the stern is frictionally held inthe bore of the sleeve and may be turned on its axis in the sleeve mem--ber. The sleeve member in turn is held by its ange 24, from beingrotated in the neck of the bottle when the unit 26 is turned. Asexplained above, flange 24V is held tight between the rim of the bottleand the inside facey of the pump member.

The stern piece 28 has an axial bore 31 which is of enlarged diameter atits lower end for receiving an endt of a tubular conduit 32 formedpreferably from a` suitable flexible material such, for example, as` thesame type.`

of elastomeric material from which the sleeve member 23 maybe formed.For frictionally holding the tube- 32 in the bore 31, the outer diameterof the tube 32 may. be made slightly larger in diameter than that of theenlarged portion of the bore. The lower end of the tube 32 becomesimmersed in the liquid in the bottle when.

as a separate piece, which upon assembly of the dispensing.

pump is suitably fixed to an upper part 36 of the body. In theembodiment shown in the drawing, the said lower wall of such bodyconstitutes a horizontally extending annular ange member 37 around theupper end of the stem 28 and is retained within a rim 3S on the lowerend of part 36 and secured thereto by a suitable adhesive substance.There is an annular rabbet 39 formed in the inside faceA 40 ofthe flange36 around the upper end of bore 31. Such rabbet receives a boss 41 whichfurther assists in holding the flange on the lower side of part 36. Bodypart 36 is preferably hollowed out to provideV a space 42` for makingthe dispensing unit light in weight.

Around the upper or outer edge of the body part 36 is an upstandingannular rim 43 within which is positioned a hollow deformable dome 44formed preferably of rubber, or one of the acceptable syntheticmaterials such as neoprene or perhaps a suitable plastic material. Theinside wall of the rim 43 is cylindrical. The dome 44 preferablyconstitutes a segment of a hollow sphere of a radius slightly largerthan that of the inner wall of the annular rim 43, and the circle whichdefines the lower edge of the dome is of slightly larger diameter thanthat of the inner wall of rim 43, whereby the dome must be contractedradially inwardly in order to be iitted within the rim. Suchconstruction for the dornepermits it to be held Within the rim withoutrequiring any adhesive or special flange arrangement, and provides anair-tight seal between the rim and the lower edge of the dome due toexpansion of the edge of the dome resiliently outwardly against the rim.Also such construction for the dome causes it to be bulged outwardlywhen placed within the rim 43, and such bulging of the dome increasesthe resilient or elastic forces of the material of the dome which causesthe dome to assume its normal configuration upon release of pressureagainst the top of the dome. An interior space 45 within the domeconstitutes a chamber in which the dome itself comprises a movable wall.Upper surface 46 of the body part 36 forms the bottom wall of thechamber. The surface 46 is circular.

Centrally disposed in the body part 36 and opening into the surface 46of the body is a depression 48. At its lower end the depressionterminates in a frusto-conical valve seat 49 against which a ball check50 seats, the ball check being one controlling a suction port 51 whichprovides for the flow of liquid from the bottle up through the port pastthe ball check and into the chamber 45. Surrounding the depression 48 atits interior wall, there is provided a series of utes 52 for the purposeof guiding the ball check 50 during its movement up and down in thedepression and also for providing between the flutes suicient space topermit easy flow therethrough of relatively viscous liquids.

There is another depression 53 formed in the body part 36 and spacedradially from and extending parallel to the axially arranged depression48. Like in the depression 48, the depression 53 terminates in afrusto-conical valve seat 54 in which a ball check 55 seats. Ball check55 is guided in its up and down axial movement in the depression 53 by acircumferentially arranged series of axially directed iiutes 56 on theinterior wall of the depression. The ball check 55 controls a port 57formed in axial alignment with the depression 53. Port 57 communicateswith the horizontally arranged fluid passageway 35 referred to above.

The depression 53 is closed from the chamber 45 by means of a discmember 58 which covers the top of the depression. Disc 58 has a boss 59which serves as a stop to limit upward motion of the ball check 55.Also, the disc carries an ear 60 projecting radially from the peripheryof the disc and arranged to extend into the top end of the depression48. Ear 60 has a boss 61 depending from its lower face and serving as astop to limit upward motion of the ball check 50. The ear 60 does-notcover the top of the depression 48 and thus liquid is free to travelfrom the depression 48 upwardly into the charnber 45.

Arranged one on each side of the depression 53 are two bores 63 and 64which extend downwardly into the body part 36 from its upper surface 46whereby the bores are open to the chamber 45. At their lower ends thebores are open to the horizontally arranged passageway 35 which in turnis in communication with the port 57 of the depression 53, as explainedpreviously. Thus communication between the chamber 45 and the interiorof the depression 53 is established by a uid passageway comprising thebores 63 and 64, the horizontal section 35 and the port 57. The bodypart 36 is also provided with a horizontally arranged discharge conduitor bore 65 which communicates with the depression 53 near the top of thedepression as shown and which extends to an outlet opening 66 in adischarge member, such as the spout 67 suitably secured on the exteriorsurface of the body.

The horizontal portion 35 of the passageway which extends from thechamber 45 to the outlet opening 66, as explained above, is convenientlyformed as a recess in the upper space of the ilange 37. When the uppersection 26 of the dispensing unit is assembled and the fiange 37 isfitted within the rim 38 to form the lower wall of the section 26, it isnecessary that the recess 35 be arranged in a position which will insurecommunication thereof with each of the bores 63 and 64 and with the port57. Thus the ilange 37 is provided with a notch 70 on its periphery forengagement with a projection 71 on the inside wall of the rim 38, andsuch notch and projection are so located that upon alignment one withthe other the recess 3S becomes aligned with the bores 63 and 64 andwith the port 57 Such alignment of parts also brings into alignment tworadially extending grooves 72 and 73 formed in the underside face of theflange 37 and in the end surface of the rim 38, respectively, as isshown best in Figure 5 of the drawings. These aligned grooves constitutea vent for admitting air into the interior of the bottle as the liquidis dispensed therefrom.

In operation, as thus far described, the dispensing pump is mounted asshown upon a container such as the bottle 15 with the conduit 32extending to a position only slightly elevated above the bottom of thecontainer (not shown). To eject liquid from the bottle the pump ismanipulated by depressing the dome 44 down and up in alternate strokes.On the downward stroke the volume within the chamber 45 is reduced andinitial air therein is ejected through the outlet passageway establishedby the bores 63 and 64, the horizontal recess 35, axial port 57,depression 53, and thence out through the discharge bore 65, whichextends through the spout 67. When the dome is released, the inherentresiliency of the dome and the pressure developed by the dome beingbulged outwardly, causes the dome to rise to its initial position, asshown in Figure 1. The ball check 55 seats closing oi air which mightotherwise be drawn back through the spout and thereupon the liquid inthe bottle is drawn up through an intake passageway comprising tube 32,stem bore 31, suction port 51, and depression 48, and thence into thechamber 45. Ball check 50 is unseated by this flow permitting the liquidto enter the depression 48. Two or three initial operations of the domemay be necessary in order to till the chamber to a suitable degree.

After the chamber has received a sufiicient quantity of liquid from thebottle, a succeeding depression of the dome as shown in Figure 2 willforce the liquid from the chamber through the outlet passageway, whichpreviously had conducted the air from within the chamber to the outletopening in the spout. Liquid flowing into the port 57 will cause theball check 55 to become unseated thereby allowing the liquid to owthrough the outlet passageway. Meanwhile, the ball check 50, as theresult of the force of gravity on it coupled with pressure exerted inthe chamber 45, will become seated, thus preventing flow of liquiddownwardly through the conduit 32. As liquid is discharged from thebottle, it is replaced by air entering the bottle through the ventprovided by the aligned grooves 72 and 73.

An important feature of the arrangement of valves and fluid passagewaysprovided by this invention is that liquid being discharged through theoutlet passageway will at no time during its travel become mixed withthe liquid contained in the intake passageway. Also air initiallycontained in the chamber 45 can leave the chamber only through theoutlet passageway and will not enter the inlet passageway where it couldmix with uid contained in the inlet passageway. Mixing of air with theliquid causes bubblesv to be formed in the liquid and such bubbles, whenbeing ejected along with liquid through an outlet for pumps of thegeneral type herein disclosed, causes squirting or sputtering of theliquid when being discharged by the pump. The present inventioneliminates the cause of such sputtering action since as explained aboveany air that may be trapped in the chamber will not become mixed withliquid. in the intake passageway.

For shipment of bottles as herein contemplated it is the usual practiceto pack dispensing pumps separately from a bottle on which the pump isultimately to be used. Under such conditions the bottle containing aliquid is closed With a conventional cap and prior to use of thecontents of the bottle such conventional cap is replaced by a dispensingpump. As all dispensing devices of this general character require thatthere be a suitable vent provided for admitting air into the bottle asthe liquid is dispensed therefrom, it is found that in cases where thepump has been used as a closure for the bottle during shipment, liquidescapes through the vent opening during shipment.

The dispensing device of this invention is designed to serve asV abottle closure which will not leak during shipment of the bottle andtherefore it is not necessary to provide a separate closure cap for eachbottle. To this end the device is constructed so that its vent openingmay be closed simply and when in the hands of the user the vent may justas simply be opened again.

In the embodiment shown in Figures l to 8 inclusive, thestem 28 isprovided with an axially directed groove 75 formed in its outer surfaceand which communicates with the groove 72 in the ange 37 of the stem.There is a radially extending opening 76 in the wall of the sleevemember 23 which opens into the interior of the bottle and is selectivelyregistrable with a section of the groove 75, i.e., the stem is turned onits longitudinal axis within the sleeve member so as to align the groove75 with the opening 76 when it is desired to open the vent passageway.To close the vent, the stem is rotated in the sleeve so as to positionthe groove 75 out of alignment with the opening. So that the operatormay be sure that the Vent groove and openingl 76 are in registration,the stem and the sleeve are provided with cooperating stop means whichfunction to prevent turning of the stem in the sleeve in. one directionbeyondl al position where alignment of the groove and opening 76 isestablished. Thus the neck part of the stem has a portion of an annularcollar 78 projecting therefrom providing two annularly spaced end faces,one of which is indicated at 79 inFigure 8. Such portion of the collar78 is preferably of an arcuate length of about 90, and when the uppersect-ion of theV pump is placed on the cap member 19, the collar 78 isreceived within the cap opening 29. The collar portion 78 is turnable,with the stem, between opposite ends of a ridge 80 which extendsupwardly from the top face of the flange 24 of the sleeve member andhalf way around the opening provided by the bore 30 of the sleeve. Whenthe cap member 19 is attached on the end of a bottle, the semi-circularridge 80 extends into the cap opening 29 along with the collar portion78. As the collar portion 78 is of shorter arcuate length than the ridge80, it is clear that when the stem is fully seated in the sleeve, it canbe turned by a quarter turn only, i.e., when the stem is turned in onedirection, one end of its collar portion 78 will abut against an endshoulder of the ridge 80. When next the stem is turned in an oppositedirection in the sleeve, the other end of its collar portion will becomeengageable with an end shoulder of the ridge 80. For insuring alignmentof the opening 76 and groove 75 when desired the opening 76 is formed ata location in the sleeve which is in alignment with the groove 75 of thestem when the collar piece 7S of the stem is positioned in abuttingrelation against an end shoulder of the ridge 80 of the sleeve.

In the modification shown in Figures 9, and 11 of the drawing, thesleeve' and stern parts of the closure dispenser have their cooperatingstops disposed within the sleeve. Thus there is provided a sleeve formedofv elastomeric material having an axial bore 86 and an annular flange87 for fitting over the rim of a bottle. At its top endA the bore 86 iscut away to provide a. recess 88 extending approximately three-fourthsof the way around the bore to leave a portion 89 which serves as a stopmember limiting the extent to which a stem 91 may be turned in the boreof the sleeve.` Stem 91, like stem 28 previously described, has aflanged portion 92 and a vent groove 93 therein. Extending half-wayaround the neck of stem 91 is a semi-circular collar portion 94 which isreceived within the recess 88 of the sleeve S5 when the stem 91 isplaced into the bore 86 of the sleeve. vThus the stem may be turned backand forth in the sleeve to the extent of approximately i.e., when turnedin one direction, one end' of the collar portion 94 of the' stem willabut against one side edge of the projecting portion 89 in the sleeveand when turned in an opposite direction by approximately 90, the otherend of the collar 94 will abut against the other side edge of theprojecting portion 89 thus limiting the extent to which the stem may beturned in the sleeve. The stem has an axially directed groove 95 in theouter periphery of its collar portion 94 which is aligned with the ventgroove 93 of the stem. An opening 97 is formed in the wall of the sleeveat a location where such opening will be registrable with the groove 95when the collar portion of the stern is in abutment with the projectingpart 89 of the sleeve as is illustrated in Figure 10 of the drawing.

Prior to shipment of bottles closed by a closure dispenser as providedby this invention the body' portion of the pump i's turned in a sleeveso that the opening 97 is not in registry with vent groove 95 in thestern of the pump. This action closes the vent' and thus prevents liquidfrom leaking out of the bottle. When it is desired to eject liquid outof the bottle, the pump is turned in the stem to align the stem openingwith the vent groove to provide an open vent for admitting air into thebottle as liquid is dispensed by'the pump. In cases where the bottlecontains a liquid which may develop gas pressure within the bottleduring shipment, it may be desirable to close the free end of thetubular conduit 32 as with cork (not shown) to prevent flow of liquidinto the housing of the dispenser pump. Prior to using the pump it willbe necessary to remove such cork or other suitable stopper from the tubetoV permit owA of liquid from. the bottle into the pump.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in what I haveconceived to be the m'ost practical and preferred embodiment, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of myinvention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed hereinbut is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace anyand all equivalent devices.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A closure for dispensing liquid from a container comprising a bodyportion adapted to cover an opening in the container, said body portionhaving an upper surface and a lower surface facing toward the interiorof the container, a hollow dome of resilient material on said topsurface providing a chamber between said upper surface and the insideWall of said dome, a first depression formed in said body portion andextending downwardly from said upper surface and opening into saidchamber, a suction port extending from the lower end of said depressionand opening in the lower surface of said body portion, a first valveseat around the upper end of said port, a ball check in said depressionfor seating on said seat, a second depression formed in said bodyportion and extending downwardly from said upper surface, said bodyportion having a passageway formed therein opening at one end thereof insaid top surface and extending to a point in said body portion belowsaid second depression, a second port extending from the lower end ofsaid second depression to said passageway, a second valve seat aroundthe upper end of said port, a ball check in said second depression forseating on said second seat, means closing the u-pper end of said seconddepression, and a discharge conduit from said second depression to theexterior of said body.

2. The closure of claim 1 wherein said ports extend in axial alignmentwith their respective depressions.

3. The closure of claim 1 wherein the interior of each of saiddepressions is provided with a circumferentially arranged series offlutes for guiding said ball checks in their respective depressions.

4. In a dispenser for closing an opening in a container, a sleeve memberadapted to be inserted in said container opening, means for removablyholding said sleeve member in said opening, an axially directed borethrough said sleeve member, at least the walls dening said bore beingformed of resilient material, a dispensing pump for removing liquid fromsaid container and including a` cylindrical stem portion tted in saidbore, at least a section of said stem portion being of an outsidediameter substantially equal to the diameter of a corresponding sectionof said bore whereby said stem portion is frictionally held in said boreand is rotatable therein, and stop means for limiting the extent ofrotation of said stem in said sleeve member.

5. In a dispenser for closing an opening in a container, a sleeve memberadapted to be inserted in said container opening, means for removablyholding said sleeve member in said opening and for closing that portionof said opening around said sleeve member, an axially directed borethrough said sleeve member, at least the walls defining said bore beingformed of resilient material, a dispensing pump for removing liquid fromsaid container and including a cylindrical stem portion tted in saidbore, at least a section of said stern portion being of an outsidediameter substantially equal to the diameter of a corresponding sectionof said bore whereby said stem portion is frictionally held in said boreand is rotatable therein, stop means associated with said sleeve memberand said stem portion for limiting the extent of rotation of said stemportion in said sleeve member, a vent passageway in said stem portionopening into the atmosphere, and an opening through said sleeve memberopening into the interior of said container and selectively registrablewith said passageway upon rotation of said stem portion.

6. In the dispenser set forth in claim 5 and wherein l said opening insaid sleeve portion is positioned for registry with said passageway whencontinued rotationl of said stem in one direction is prevented by saidstop means.

7. In a dispenser for closing an opening in a bottle, a sleeve adaptedto be inserted in said bottle opening, an annular flange around saidsleeve covering the rim of said bottle opening, a cap member having atop wall and bottle-engaging means for removably holding said cap memberon said bottle and over the periphery of said flange, a central openingin said top wall, a bore in said sleeve and co-axial with said bottleopening, said sleeve being formed of resilient material, a dispensingpump for removing liquid from said bottle and including a cylindricalstern extending through said top wall opening and fitted in said bore,said stem being rotatable in said bore, stop means for limiting theextent of rotation of said stem in said bore, a groove formed in saideX- terior surface of said stem and in communication with theatmosphere, an opening through said sleeve, said sleeve opening being sopositioned as to be in registry with said groove when continued rotationof said stem in one direction is prevented by said stop means.

8. In a dispenser for closing an opening in a container, a sleeve formedof resilient material and adapted to be inserted in said containeropening, means for removably holding said sleeve in said opening, anaxially directed bore through said sleeve, a body portion, means forminga chamber on one end of said portion with at least a part of said bodyportion constituting a wall of said chamber, and including a movablewall for altternately contracting and expanding the chamber, a firstpassageway through said body portion and opening into said chamber, aone-way valve in said passageway arranged to permit flow of liquid intosaid chamber and to prevent reverse flow of liquid, a discharge port insaid body portion opening into the atmosphere, a discharge passageway insaid body portion independent of said first passageway and providing owcommunication from said chamber to said discharge port, a one-way valvein said discharge passageway arranged to permit flow of liquid from saidchamber to said discharge port when said chamber is contracted, acylindrical stem on said body portion and fitted in said bore of saidsleeve, said stem being rotatable in said bore, and stop means forlimiting the extent of rotation of said stem in said sleeve.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,098,160 Perritt Nov. 2, 1937 2,154,393 Bares Apr. 11, 1939 2,275,051Maloney Mar. 3, 1942 2,275,972 Maloney Mar. 10, 1942 2,702,147 BrownFeb. 15,v 1955

